silkily smooth as her fingers moved to the top button of her bodice.
Stunned, his gaze followed the movement. Words died on his tongue. Lips still parted, his heart skipped a beat when she started unfastening her green as grass blouse. Although he’d tried hard to bury it, the desire for Claire burned as strongly as ever. He’d missed her so much.
His hands curled into fists. They would be husband and wife now if only she would … He tensed, rigid as a board.
“Stop.”
Silent, her gaze steady on his, she ignored him, freeing one button after another until the material parted. His gaze moved down to the shadowy valley between her breasts, enticed. The sight tantalized him for some seconds before he took action. He closed the distance between them and grabbed her wrists.
“I said stop.”
“Why?” Claire pressed closer.
Matt brought her arms down to her sides, releasing her only in order to reach up and pull her clothing back together. She rubbed her length against him, not discouraged in the slightest amount. His breath quickened. Her firm bounty slid against his hand. The touch of her bare flesh stole any rational thought he had left.
Heat coursed through him. His fingers moved in the barest motion of a caress. Her sigh feathered his skin. Before he had time to think logically again, she stood on her toes, looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to cover his mouth with hers.
Her heart raced. Held in the circle of his arms, his body felt lean and strong, the embrace shot pleasure along her nerves. Her fingers played with raven black hair, neatly trimmed and combed in place as always, which made her want to ruffle it wild.
Eagerly, her hands moved, stroking broad shoulders then down over arms of muscle gained by hard labor. Despite long hours upholding the law, Matt often helped his parents on their farm. He’d told her that the mindless chores helped him keep life in perspective. She found that selflessness as attractive as the physical form the work produced.
Claire broke off the kiss. For a second she admired the man who’d stolen her heart. His handsome features were tense, his expression creased in serious lines. Eyes of light brown with flecks of green and gold focused on her. His lips parted. She shook her head, forestalling his speech.
Guided by instinct, driven by longing, Claire nibbled along his jaw. His rapid breath rewarded her. Fingertips touched her face. She looked up, into his eyes. Shivers shot down her spine as desire intoxicated her.
The need to touch him became irresistible. With one hand, Claire plucked at the buttons of his faded flannel shirt. Soft fabric parted and she slipped her fingers inside, sweeping them over the bare plains of his stomach and then up over his chest.
“Claire I–”
“Want me?” Her tone was bold, certain of his answer.
His hand gripped her chin. “God help me, yes.”
His mouth captured hers in a wild kiss while his hands moved, restless, over her back. Passion blazed. The kiss bruised with intensity. One hand caressed her back while the other tangled in her hair. His tongue teased her lips. She matched his action, and tasted his.
Matt broke contact with a groan. “Claire I-”
Her hands went to his shirtfront, opened more buttons, and parted the sides, exposing flesh. Matt drew back. His hands moved, his touch light, fingertips trailing down the side of her neck down to her bodice where they stilled. She couldn’t stop her small sigh of objection.
“Are you sure?”
Without hesitation, she answered, her voice strong and clear. “Yes.”
“But I think–”
“Don’t.” Her hand snaked up his chest, over his collarbone to curve over the back of his neck. “Just kiss me again.”
“But–”
With her mouth, she silenced him. Matt made no further objection. His fingers worked with swift efficiency. Her top soon gapped open and the heat of his hands burned through her thin chemise to knead her sensitive flesh.
Impatiently, Claire tugged his shirt free of his pants then off his shoulders. She tossed it away. Her hands roamed over tanned skin. He growled low in his throat.
Pleased at his response, Claire pulled back. She wanted to draw this out. His hands tightened as if reluctant to release her but after a moment, he did.
Her gaze locked on him, she stepped back. Sweat glistened on his skin. The sound of ragged breathing filled the room.
“Claire I … ” His voice trailed off as she took another step so that she stood by a chair, the fire behind her. Matt shook his head a dazed look on his face. “I got carried away.”
Silent, she let her gaze wander, over his heaving chest, his stomach, down past the waistband of his denims then slowly back up to look him in the eye.
Voice ragged, his hands curled to fists. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m…” She paused. Her fingers went to the open neck of her shirt, and started releasing the last few buttons. “Not.”
With slow, deliberate movements, she eased the fabric down first one arm then the other. Claire pulled her top free. Matt sucked in an audible breath. She smiled and let her clothing slip off, dropping to the floor.
Her hands went to the back of her waist, to the fastening of her brown skirt. His gaze dropped to her chest as though he couldn’t help himself when her action thrust it forward. When he looked back up, the hunger in his gaze made her tremble. He started to move toward her but stopped at the shake of her head.
“Claire,” he groaned when a second later her skirt fell to her feet.
Bathed in firelight, clad only in her undergarments, Claire knew she made an enticing image. Her smile broadened. Slowly she reached up and hooked her fingers around the thin straps of her chemise, intending to drive him wild.
“Claire stop,” he warned his tone low and dangerous.
Straps fell off her shoulders. “Why?”
“Because if you-”
“If I what?” She eased one arm free.
“Claire.”
She pulled her other arm out. One hand held the thin white cotton barely in place. “Yes Matthew.”
“If you remove one more thing, I’ll snatch you up and take you to my bed.”
Fabric fell about her waist, her breasts bare. “Promise?”
Matt moved as swiftly as the lightening that had crossed the sky. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight against him, bare chest to bare chest. His mouth hovered
